A Writing Root for The Dragon Machine

Outcomes:

Dragon guide and encyclopaedia, letters of advice, dragon machine explanation, shopping list, description, letters in role

Main Outcome:

Own version dragon story

Length:

15 sessions, 3 weeks

Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root using the text The Dragon Machine by Helen Ward, in which children are initially engaged by noticing a dragon tail and then going on a dragon hunt across the school. Children then create a guide, exploring descriptive and positional language. They engage with the main character in the story’s thoughts and emotions through letter writing. Throughout the sequence, children explore a number of spelling patterns and rules from the Y2 Programme of Study and these are specifically edited for in their final outcome of an extended ‘dragon machine’ story.

Synopsis of Text:

The perfect introduction to the legendary world of dragons, The Dragon Machine uses a clever mix of text and illustrations to describe how George, a young, overlooked boy, becomes aware of dragons hiding all around him.

But when it becomes apparent that they don't belong in George's ordinary world, he endeavours to do the best for his new friends and find them the home they deserve.

Text Rationale:

This enchanting story deals with issues around self-acceptance and feeling left out. After George has led the dragons out of the city, he realises that he is loved and missed by the world he left behind. This text could lead to further investigations of dragons, using the book Dragonology which also uses the talents of Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson amongst others – both are multi-award-winning. An exciting narrative that will have children wanting to learn all they can about mythical creatures.

Links and themes:

Dragons, machines, inventions, mythical creatures, fantasy, self-acceptance, belonging, family

Date written: June 2017